Chapter 393: Meeting Murong Fei Again, Being Targeted

He was dressed in a white robe with a long sword at his waist, appearing dignified and imposing, with an extraordinary temperament.

Behind him followed over a dozen Cultivators from the Mu Rong Family, each possessing a cultivation at the Venerable Realm.

Murong Fei walked into the Martial Arts Field, his gaze sweeping across the area as if searching for something.

Zhou Chen's heart stirred, and he immediately restrained his aura, hiding within the crowd.

He knew that Murong Fei was definitely looking for him.

"Hmph…"

Murong Fei let out a cold snort. Not finding Zhou Chen, a flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes.

"Consider yourself sensible for not coming to participate in the selection."

"Otherwise…"

A flash of killing intent crossed his eyes: "I would make your death very ugly."

Murong Fei led his people toward the registration office.

Zhou Chen watched his back, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

The registration office.

An elderly man in a Zixia Sect robe sat behind a desk, responsible for registering the participants' information.

He was the Outer Sect Elder of the Zixia Sect—Ziyun Immortal Master, with a cultivation of the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fifth Layer.

"Next."

Ziyun Immortal Master said indifferently.

Murong Fei stepped forward and took out his Identity Token.

"I am Murong Fei, with a Venerable Realm Ninth Layer cultivation, here to participate in the Outer Sect selection."

Ziyun Immortal Master's Divine Sense swept over the token, and he nodded.

"Young Lord of the Mu Rong Family, I have heard of your great name for a long time."

"Your talent is indeed good. In this selection, you should be able to enter the top ten."

"However…"

He paused: "Although all the top ten can become Outer Sect Disciples, the reward for first place is very generous."

"I hope you perform well."

Murong Fei cupped his hands: "Thank you for the guidance, Senior."

"I will certainly go all out and strive to take first place."

Ziyun Immortal Master smiled and handed a jade token to Murong Fei.

"This is your Competition Token, number ninety-nine."

"Keep it safe; don't lose it."

"Without the token, you cannot participate in the selection."

Murong Fei took the token and turned to leave.

As soon as he stepped out of the registration office, he was surrounded by a group of Cultivators.

"Young Lord Murong!"

"I am Wang Tie, a disciple of the Wang Family from Qingfeng City, with a cultivation of the Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm!"

"It would be an honor to make your acquaintance, Young Lord Murong!"

"Young Lord Murong, I am Li San…"

A group of Cultivators scrambled to introduce themselves, wanting to curry favor with Murong Fei.

Murong Fei responded to each one with a smile on his face.

But his heart was filled with disdain.

These people were merely trying to cling to the power of the Mu Rong Family.

Just then, Zhou Chen walked up to the registration office.

"Senior, I am Zhou Chen, here to register for the selection."

Zhou Chen took out his Identity Token and handed it to Ziyun Immortal Master.

Ziyun Immortal Master's Divine Sense swept over the token, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Zhou Chen?"

"A disciple of the Zhou Family from Qingfeng City?"

"How come I've never heard of such a person in the Zhou Family?"

He carefully checked the token and found the information was indeed correct, only then letting down his guard.

"Cultivation… Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm."

Ziyun Immortal Master glanced at Zhou Chen: "Even someone at the Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm dares to come for the selection?"

"Do you know? Among those participating in this selection, the lowest is the Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm."

"And there are more than a dozen at the Venerable Realm Seventh Layer or above."

"There are also three at the Venerable Realm Ninth Layer."

"As a Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm, you probably won't even pass the first round."

Zhou Chen said calmly: "Thank you for the reminder, Senior."

"But since I've come, I want to try."

"Even if I fail, I can gain experience."

Ziyun Immortal Master shook his head: "It's good for young people to have drive."

"However, one must also act according to their abilities."

"Forget it, since you've paid the registration fee, participate if you want."

He handed a jade token to Zhou Chen.

"This is your Competition Token, number two hundred thirty-seven."

"Remember, the selection is divided into four rounds."

"The first round will be held in three days; the specific rules will be announced then."

"During these three days, you can rest in Qingfeng City or continue to Cultivate."

Zhou Chen took the token: "Thank you, Senior."

He turned and left the registration office.

Just after walking a few steps, he heard a familiar voice from behind.

"Eh?"

"It's you?!"

"I didn't expect you to come for the selection after not seeing you for two months."

Zhou Chen's heart tightened, and he turned to look.

It was exactly Murong Fei.

At this moment, Murong Fei was walking over with a group of Cultivators, a half-smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist…"

Murong Fei walked up to Zhou Chen and sized him up: "After parting in the Zixia Mountain Range two months ago, this Young Lord thought you had already left Qingfeng City."

"I didn't expect you to actually come for the selection as well."

"What a… coincidence. I wonder how I should address you?"

His tone carried obvious mockery.

Zhou Chen's face remained calm: "It is indeed quite a coincidence."

"I am Zhou Chen. I wonder what guidance Young Lord Murong has for me?"

Murong Fei sneered: "Guidance is out of the question."

"I'm just very curious…"

"Two months ago, in that ancient Immortal Cave in the Zixia Mountain Range, what treasure did you actually take?"

"It couldn't be…"

A cold chill flashed in his eyes: "That it was truly empty, could it?"

Zhou Chen said indifferently: "I have already said, the Immortal Cave was indeed empty."

"Does Young Lord Murong still not believe me?"

Murong Fei sneered: "Whether I believe it or not isn't important."

"What's important is…"

He pointed at the Competition Token in Zhou Chen's hand: "You are also participating in this selection."

"Then we will always have a chance to meet on the arena stage."

"When that time comes…"

A flash of killing intent crossed his eyes: "This Young Lord will properly seek guidance from you."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Zhou Chen's mouth.

"Is that so?"

"Then I am also looking forward to it."

"However…"

He glanced at Murong Fei: "I would like to remind Young Lord Murong of one thing."

"On the arena stage, life and death are determined by fate."

"If Young Lord Murong isn't careful, you might just fail unexpectedly in a simple situation."

As soon as these words were spoken, Murong Fei's face darkened.

"What did you say?"

"A mere Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm dares to speak so boastfully in front of this Young Lord?"

"It seems you are tired of living."

Zhou Chen smiled, said no more, and turned to leave.

Murong Fei watched Zhou Chen's back, the killing intent in his eyes growing stronger.

"Damn fellow…"

"Daring to act mysterious in front of me."

"When the selection begins, I will let you know the meaning of despair."

A Mu Rong Family Cultivator next to him whispered: "Young Lord, should we now…"

Murong Fei waved his hand: "No need."

"Acting now would attract the Zixia Sect's attention."

"Killing him on the arena stage is fair and square; no one can say anything."

"And…"

He sneered: "I want to make him kneel and beg for mercy in front of everyone."

"Let him know the consequences of offending this Young Lord."

Three days later.

At the Martial Arts Field, the selection officially began.

Thousands of participants gathered in the square, waiting for the start of the first round of assessments.

Countless spectator seats were set up around the square.

Various families of Qingfeng City, Loose Cultivator forces, and chamber of commerce organizations all sent people to watch the battle.

Even some Cultivators from other cities came, drawn by the reputation.